Ricky Burns vs. Jose Gonzalez - "Fighting Pride of Scotland" - Who you got?

I've seen a tiny bit of Gonzalez and he looks decent I have to say. Good stance, well balanced, weight distribution very good, tight and compact, very accurate with what he throws. Throws to hurt and is a vicious body puncher. I can see why the Scottish are hyping him up for this fight!

Though he hasn't really fought at this level or anybody in the calibre of Ricky Burns and the fight is in Ricky's backyard.

Dangerous dangerous dangerous fight though this, the bloke has a 77% KO ratio and is undefeated. Write him of at your mercy! Ricky has been in 260 rounds with a KO% of 27%. Gonzalez has only had 92 rounds in comparison. But he can obviously box, and he can finish fights!

I don't think Team Burns are that stupid though. They are true professionals and will do a professionals job. They wont overlook Gonzalez, to many have done before in the sport. Amir Khan, David Price spring to mind.

I've noticed Ricky on the pads that he is generating a lot more pop, but as a result is planting his feet a lot more to generate the power. Gonzalez seems to be an in-out fighter with good footwork and punch selection....oh, and he can dig! The power looks natural and not forced like some fighters.

However, focusing to much on generating power could backfire for Ricky because he will be planted, meaning Gonzalez can stick and move. Ricky needs to dictate the tempo in this fight, instead of being stuck in mud trying to stop the guy. If the stoppage comes, it comes, but it cant be forced, because it can and HAS plenty of times backfired in this sport. Gonzalez doesn't appear to be as dumb or bravado as Kevin Mitchell. So he won't be looking to stand and trade like Kevin, he will come to box, and Ricky needs to outbox him to win. Ricky is a better boxer than he is a power puncher. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

So Ricky will have to press smartly in this fight and forget so much about stopping him. Gonzalez could well clock up the rounds or stop Ricky if he rushes in. If Ricky's not a natural power puncher, then they're best focusing on what he IS good at, especially against a dangerous fighter like Gonzalez. Gonzalez wont know whats hit him when Ricky's up and at him in his face. He will have never been pushed like this.

I actually think this is a tougher fight than advertised and Gonzalez looks serious, he has definitely come to win, but so has Ricky. So it should make for a cracking fight this one. (Tickets still available)

The later the fight goes, the more Ricky will come into his own. Educated volume/output and pressure is key to the victory as Gonzalez doesn't seem to throw a lot unless he hurts you.

If Ricky comes in blindly reckless (I'm sure he wont, Ricky's not a dumb fighter) its not out of the question that Gonzalez could stop him. He seems to have wicked power, but he has only shown it in Puerto Rico against "poor" opposition, Ricky has more experience and has faced better opposition, if not great, it is better than what Gonzalez has faced.

Predictions?

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I agree on all of that.

There comes a time in every fighters career, where the step is made or not, this is it for Gonzalez. Every fighter has to make that step if they want to make it. The same can be said for Kell Brook. People doubt fighters because they haven't made that step yet, but if they are that good, then they will pass the test with flying colors, regardless of opponents faced in the lead up. I dont think we can say Ricky Burns has made that step either yet. He has fought better opponents than Gonzalez, of course. Holds a world title, yes, fought the best at Lightweight?

A win for both fighters here is vital for virtually the same reasons. Everything points towards a great fight, the atmosphere should be banging to.

I also think this Gonzalez fella has got something about him. I like his fighting style, very very very tight and accurate, he is no bum that is for sure and neither is Ricky Burns!

He looks deadly serious to, he means business. A lot of people will dismiss him because of his ranking, but you only have to look at some of his fights. This is a mean son of a gun and he can box. Reminds me of Rigondeaux in a way, where people doubted him going into the Donaire fight (even me) simply of the back of facing poor opponents. But it was a boxing masterclass from the world class amateur Rigondeaux, so I'm open minded in this fight, even if Gonzalez isn't as glittered as Rigondeaux in the am's.

A difficult fight for Ricky Burns this, especially after the layoff, I can see a very close fight on points either way, or Gonzalez stunning all of Scotland and stopping the Rickster.

50/50 for me.

Very interesting fight, get your scorecards out folks!

Can't believe tickets still available!!! :admin